Results from SCOOT Systems

Results of using SCOOT are available for several cities:

The measured benefits of SCOOT depend on the efficiency of the previous method of control and on site factors, such as the distance between junctions and the flows of vehicles.

Early results showed that SCOOT achieved an average saving in delay of about 12% when compared with up-to-date TRANSYT fixed-time plans. This result was important because TRANSYT is used worldwide and known to set a high standard on which other traffic responsive systems have failed consistently to improve.

Research by Bell and Bretherton (1986) suggests that SCOOT is likely to achieve an extra 3% reduction in delay for every year that a fixed-time plan "ages". Further, the effects of incidents have been excluded from many of the survey results to ensure statistical validity. Since SCOOT is designed to adapt automatically to compensate for ageing and incident effects, it is reasonable to expect that, in many practical situations, SCOOT will achieve savings in delay of 20% or more.

The results from SCOOT's commercial systems and Bus Priority Results are also available as a pdf file.

The results were obtained from the following references:

TAALE, H, FRANSEN, W.C.M & DIBBITS, J. (1998). "The second assessment of the SCOOT system in Nijmegen." IEE Road Transport Information and Control, 21-23 April 1998. Conference Publication No 454.
MAZZAMATTI, M.V, NETTO, D.V.V.F, VILANOVA, L.M & MING, S.H. (1998). "Benefits gained by responsive and adaptive systems in São Paulo." IEE Road Transport Information and Control, 21-23 April 1998. Conference Publication No 454.
COEYMANS-AVARIA, J.E. et al. (1995). "SCOOT in Santiago." 23rd European Transport Forum. PTRC September 1995. P394, pp 183-195.
SIEMENS AUTOMOTIVE, USA (1995). "SCOOT in Toronto." Traffic Technology International, Spring '95, pp. 28-30.
PECK, C, GORTON, P.T.W & LIREN, DUAN. (1990). "The application of SCOOT in developing countries." Third International Conference on Road Traffic Control. IEE. London, UK. 1-3 May 1990. Conference Publication 320 pp 104-109.
BELL, M.C & BRETHERTON, R.D. (1986). "Ageing of fixed-time traffic signal plans." IEE 2^nd International Conference on Road Traffic Control.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT, HEREFORD AND WORCESTER COUNTY COUNCIL AND TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ASSOCIATES. (1986). "Evaluation of Urban Traffic Control in Worcester." One page summary available. Available from TCC division D Tp, Tollgate House, Bristol. May 1986.
POWELL, R.J. (1985). "SCOOT in Southampton." PTRC Annual Summer Meeting July 1985. Seminar M, P269, pp 97-110.
CHANDLER, M.J.H & COOK, D.J. (1985). "Traffic control studies in London: SCOOT and bus detection." PTRC Annual Summer Meeting July 1985. Seminar M, P269, pp 111-128.
HUNT, P.B, ROBERTSON, D.I, BRETHERTON, R.D & WINTON, R.I. (1981). "SCOOT - a traffic responsive method of co-ordinating signals." TRRL Laboratory Report 1014.